Ben Chilwell scored Crystal Palace’s late winner against Fulham before appearing to answer a home supporter who called him a “Chelsea reject” at Craven Cottage.
The full-back struck in the 77th minute to complete Palace’s 3-2 comeback on Saturday, September 5, after Fulham had twice taken the lead. Tyrick Mitchell scored twice for the visitors, while Josh King and César Palacios were on target for the hosts. ([uk.sports.yahoo.com](https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/ben-chilwell-scores-winner-crystal-160702276.html?utm_source=openai))
Chilwell had only been introduced as a substitute three minutes before finding the net, marking an immediate impact on his return to Crystal Palace. The victory was the club’s first of the Premier League season and gave new manager Pierre Sage his first win in charge. ([uk.sports.yahoo.com](https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/ben-chilwell-scores-winner-crystal-160702276.html?utm_source=openai))
Ben Chilwell appears to respond to Fulham fan
After the final whistle, Palace’s players made their way towards the tunnel following their celebrations with the travelling support. In footage shared on social media, a Fulham fan can be heard directing the “Chelsea reject” remark towards Chilwell.
The defender, who spent five years at Stamford Bridge, appeared to respond by telling the supporter to “hold that L” — a reference to the defeat suffered by Fulham on their own ground.
Chilwell joined Palace after leaving Chelsea for Strasbourg. During his time with the west London club, he won the Champions League, while Chelsea also credit him with lifting the UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup. He had previously spent the second half of the 2024-25 campaign on loan at Selhurst Park. ([chelseafc.com](https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/ben-chilwell-leaves-chelsea-on-permanent-transfer?utm_source=openai))
The exchange came after a dramatic contest in which Palace twice recovered from behind. Mitchell levelled after King’s early opener, Palacios restored Fulham’s advantage before half-time, and Mitchell struck again after the interval before Chilwell settled the match.
Fulham and Palace had both gone into the fixture without a point from their opening two league matches. Palace’s comeback therefore lifted them off the bottom of the table, while Fulham were left still searching for their first points of the campaign.
